BJ COLE and EMILY BURRIDGE
DUETS FOR PEDAL STEEL GUITAR and CELLO
When BJ Cole and Emily Burridge perform together they produce a dynamic energy created out of their complimentary musical perspectives. Emily, the classically trained virtuoso Cellist with a talent for improvisation honed to spontaneous perfection by the demands of top flight session work and BJ, whose session CV confirms his conviction that the pedal steel guitar is long overdue for a re evaluation as an orchestral instrument that demands a sophisticated repertoire.
BJ COLE and EMILY BURRIDGE
GNOSSIENNE SUITE
Although BJ and Emily have covered Erik Satie's Gnossiennes in their repertoire, it was when they performed the complete cycle that it became clear the pieces should evolve in the form of a suite. They've composed musical passages that link the individual 'miniatures' and create a sense of momentum. The pedal steel and cello bring out a lyrical quality in Satie's music, not possible to express in standard piano interpretations. Undercurrents of Eastern European music clearly emerge as an influence on Satie's original compositions. Individual Gnossiennes, as movements in a suite, gives a substance to the whole and a unique take on Satie's genius.
An Evening of Widescreen Pedal Steel Guitar
WITH BJ Cole, Joe Harvey-Whyte and David Murphy
Well, what can I say? It is a proud moment indeed to be joined by such great pioneers of the Pedal Steel Guitar. As many of you may be aware, I have spent many years pushing against the boundaries of what the Pedal Steel is known for and sought to take it into musical areas that it isn't generally associated with. I started playing in country bands back in the 1960's but have never really considered myself as a country player. Then, as I began listening to Avant Garde and classical music for pleasure, my choice of music naturally gravitated towards these genres. I composed 'Five Pieces For Steel Guitar & Percussion' in 1971 which was released on my album called 'The New Hovering Dog'. I continued to challenge myself musically and push the boundaries of the instrument and in 1986 JJ Burnel (The Stranglers) suggested that I try playing Erik Satie's Gymnopedies. This then led me to the first 'Transparent Music' album in 1989 as a collaboration with Guy Jackson. I continue to love playing things that are outside of the box and am delighted that there are other new Pedal Steel players out there that are also willing to push the boundaries beyond country music and recognise the versatility and range of the instrument. What makes this performance different is that although all three of us are very capable of performing alongside other people in collaborative ventures, we are choosing to perform solo. At the end of our individual sets, we hope to meet up to play together at the end of the concert.
Vladimir Misik
With BJ Cole
Back in March 2024, I was privileged to work on a recording session at the SONO Recording Studio, near Prague in the Czech Republic. The session was for the Czech singer Vladimir Misik; a singer extremely popular in that country. The entire album was cut in real time at the best European recording studio in which I have ever worked, and the session musicians were the best that producer Petr Oustrouchev could bring together. Although Vladimir is singing in Czech, there’s no disguising the fact that this video reeks of class, and I feel very proud to have been asked to be involved.
